(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
K-State football coach Bill Snyder will eventually retire. That is the hardest thing to hear for K-State fans, but take a breath and relax, because just in case it happens to be after this year, there are some good candidates out there.
Another football year is upon us, which means another stellar coaching performance soon to be from Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder. Honestly though, it seems like yesterday for me remembering when Snyder announced his retirement in 2005. The Ron Prince era (although painful) came and went with Snyder eventually coming back in 2008 to save the day.
Over the course of his second tenure, Snyder has achieved a great deal. From bowl games to Big 12 Championships to yet again being one win away from a berth in the national championship.
Snyder is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the game today and here is some proof from CBS Sports, who did a ranking on the best college football coaches this season. Sure, he could be higher on this list, but the respect is still there.
No one in college football has a bigger program turn around than Bill Snyder. The fact that he never left for greener pastures blows my mind, yet they both fit somehow don’t they? Snyder and Kansas State football go hand in hand with one another and it almost seems wrong to imagine him with another team.
This time around when Synder does finally decide to hang it up again (which might be sooner than later), we as fans have to hope the replacement won’t be so painful. Here are some candidates to take over for Bill Snyder. Let’s get to it, shall we?
K-State Football Coach Replacement: Option 1 – Gary Patterson
Sports Reference has his coaching record at 149-54 with a 9-6 record in bowl games.
We’re going to start this list out at the top. Gary Patterson is by far number one on my list and should be on your list as a fan. The ex-Kansas State linebacker/assistant coach in the early 80s has strong ties to the university and the state of Kansas.
[Patterson’s] absolute loyalty and success at TCU has made him the Fort Worth version of Bill Snyder.
Patterson has respect and admiration for not only the university, but Snyder as well. There are however, a couple blocks in the road for this coaching dream ever becoming a reality.
The first and glaring problem was that in 2008, before Snyder said he would return, there was information leaked (and then later denied) that Patterson had gone even so far as to sign a contract with the Wildcats. (Yahoo Sports 2008)
This was a huge mess and I’m sure is not the best look to coach Patterson. Another problem is simply his accomplishments, as his absolute loyalty and success at TCU has made him the Fort Worth version of Bill Snyder.
All that said, it wouldn’t hurt the Wildcats to give it the old college try when it comes to courting Patterson. Of course, when King Bill, has left the building.
K-State Football Coach Replacement: Option 2 – Jim Leavitt
Sports Reference has Leavitt at 75-44 with a record of 3-2 in bowl games
Currently coaching as defensive coordinator for the mighty Oregon Ducks, Jim Leavitt has built himself quite the reputation after his stint at South Florida. Allegations that later came back as true had Leavitt striking one of his players and lying about it, according to ESPN.
This is a pretty big deal and not okay. Since this incident however, Leavitt has had quite the journey, ranging from the NFL with the 49ers, to defensive coordinator with the University of Colorado and Oregon Ducks.
His recent defenses have been so successful that Leavitt has gotten himself on quite a few short lists for head coaching jobs across the nation. This includes our very own Kansas State Wildcats. Not only does Jim Leavitt have six years coaching under Bill Snyder, but there appears to be a contract loophole in his new contract at Oregon, according to The Wichita Eagle
If Leavitt is offered an interview and impresses the university, then hopefully the coach has learned from his mistake.
The contract apparently states if Leavitt leaves for a head coaching job at KSU, neither him nor the university is required to buyout his contract.
Everyone makes mistakes, which I think we all can agree on. If Leavitt is offered an interview and impresses the university, then hopefully the coach has learned from his mistake. I would support the hire because Leavitt is a great defensive mind that would be in a lackluster defensive conference.
This could give the Wildcats the edge they need and get past the Sooners and Cowboys. I think this is the likely scenario we see play out after Snyder, A lot would have to fall into place, but it would seem this could be the case after the 2017 season.
K-State Football Coach Replacement: Option 3 – Joe Moorhead
The Penn State Athletics site has his coaching record at 38-13 all with Fordham (FCS)
Joe Moorhead is one of the good, if not great, up and coming head coaching candidates, consistently bringing potent offense to whatever school has his services. From FCS school Fordham as the head coach, to UCONN as offensive coordinator, and now the well sought after offensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions.
Moorhead statistically had a dream season and an even better looking one.
Penn State head coach James Franklin loosely connects this all together. His brief one year coaching job at Kansas state during the Ron Prince era gives fans like myself the ability to dream.
Rumors swirled after last season when the UCONN head coaching job became available, but Moorhead insisted he is at Penn State for the long haul, even being quoted at the press conference before the Rose Bowl as “Entrenched.”
Moorhead statistically had a dream season and an even better looking one. The Penn State offense popped off the TV screen last season with their play on the field.
USA Today has the offensive stats for the 15-16 season before Moorhead arrived and the 16-17 season he was there. Penn State jumped 58 spots in passing stats alone! This coach may be a pipe dream, but when the time comes for a short list, let’s just hope he’s on it.
K-State Football Coach Replacement: Option 4 – Sean Snyder
The apparent heir to the throne and coach of K-State Football Special Teams
Let’s try and figure out why Sean Snyder is even in this discussion.
- Bill’s Son
- Phenomenal Special Teams Coach
- Last name Snyder?
- Been around awhile?
Listen, absolutely zero disrespect for Sean Snyder because, like the bullet points say, he is a GREAT special teams coach. Bullet points don’t lie, but do these bullet points and zero head coaching experience give Sean Snyder the qualifications for the job? I would be inclined to say no.
This would be the safest head coaching pick. It’s safe because [Sean’s] last name is Snyder and he’s been through the process and has seen it all done before.
This would be the safest head coaching pick I have ever seen. It’s safe because his last name is Snyder and he’s been through the process and has seen it all done before. He’s the current head coach’s son, which seems to be the best reason for hiring him yet fans would still have no clue what they’re getting besides a solid special teams unit.
I could be wrong and Sean could be everything Kansas State football fans have ever wanted after Bill and more. If there are simply better candidates out there, however, then pay the money and get a big time coach who will surely bring big time players.
Sean Snyder is last on my reasonable list because of that. There are better, more capable, and proven coaches out there.
Besides, this next coach might be a little too wild…
K-State Football Coach Replacement: Option 5 – Bob Stoops
Sports Reference has Stoops coaching record at 190-48 and 9-9 in bowl games.
Yes, I’m going to be the guy to say it. Go get Bob Stoops, K-State!
Stoops stepped away from coaching this offseason and it was shocking to almost everyone in college football. Stoops had an amazing Sooners team coming back this year and was probably going to win the Big 12 title and contend for a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Of course, Oklahoma still can accomplish all of those things, but with any new journey, it can have its ups and downs. As for Stoops, he surely will be back coaching sometime whether it be in the NFL or maybe a high price Division I school such as Notre Dame.
The rumors are endless for this highly sought after coach. Here are some reasons I think the Wildcats would have a real shot at landing him.
Foundation
Stoops coached with Synder in Iowa, but coached under and learned from him in Manhattan. Stoops was essential from 1989-1995 in building the foundation that fans see today. Simply put no matter how small, he has stakes with the Wildcats.
Respect
It’s one thing for a coach to be apart of a coaching tree, but it’s different if it’s Snyder’s coaching tree, yeah? Almost every, if not all K-State fans, can tell you how much their football team’s coach cares about people, and authentically at that. That being said, it’s no secret how much respect Stoops has for Snyder.
Stoops was essential from 1989-1995 in building the foundation that fans see today. Simply put no matter how small, he has stakes with the Wildcats.
Finishing
The first two reasons all boil down to this: Bob Stoops could finish what him and his mentor started. Granted this year’s Wildcat team is good and shouldn’t be underestimated, but a National Championship might be wishful thinking.
It’s a complete shot in the dark, and who knows if Stoops will ever return to coaching? If he made it aware to all teams, there are plenty of bigger schools who have the means capable of luring him to their universities.
There is just something about K-State though… Something special.
K-State football is a culture that is special and so impactful on the environment around it that it creates family.
Bill Snyder has done just that. He has taken this team that means so much to him and turned friends, staff, and most importantly the players to family.
When he returned to coaching in 2008, Snyder said this in an ESPN article,
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"“This is a family thing, and a Wildcat family thing. We need everybody to be involved in caring, and in a genuine and a real way. I’m just pleased to be here with them again.”"
Whoever takes over for Bill Snyder when he retires has to be committed. Not just to the university, but to the culture and has to be willing to provide the same careful care and strategy that Snyder pours in to running his program.
The whole reason that Kansas State outperforms their expectations every year is because Snyder gets them to believe they are actually family, both the campus and city of Manhattan. This means when those guys take the field on Saturday as a Wildcat, they’re absolutely playing for more than just themselves.
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I hope when the day does finally happen where Bill Snyder hangs up his coaching hat for good that the new coach knows what he is taking over. Until that day, however, let us enjoy the time we have left with the King.